Chris,
If you mean "type bars" I removed all mine and scrubbed them with Brillo pads.
Mine may have been an extreme case because they were so corroded from mouse urine.
To get them out do this:
1) Remove the type basket. This requires removing the carrage return strap and flipping a lever.
2) Remove the back stop the bars rest against. It's a horse shoe thingy with a rubber pad for the bars to hit.
3) Remove the do hicky the ribbon runs through.
Once said "do hicky" is out of the way the bars are able to travel forward far enough to come out.
No need to remove that curved rod BUT if you do DO NOT take the set screws all the way out.
If the set screws are mushroomed on the ends taking them all the way out will deform the hole
and then you have problems. Ask me how I know.
See attached.
-Steve